Texas Tech University | Student Reviews | Best College

Student Profile

Jessica

Class: Senior
Major: Communications
Gender: F

High School: The Woodlands High school
Transfer Student: N

Big Picture

When I tell someone I go to Tech the usual reaction is a comment about how flat Lubbock is or that the campus is in the middle of nowhere. Lubbock really is flat and there really isnÕt a whole lot besides the campus around but thatÕs the fun of it. Everyone supports Tech and it is such a college town because most people you see are students themselves. The campus is really big but with all the architecture and sculptures around it makes it a pretty sight to look at. The best thing about Tech is the people and the school spirit. The people are so friendly and down to earth. There is a ton of that "Red Raider pride" amongst students and alums. Before every home game the Saddle Tramps wrap the Will Rodgers statue (right in front of campus) with red streamers and wrap studentÕs cars that are parked around campus. It gets us fired up for the games. Greek life is HUGE. IÕm a Tri-Delta and can honestly say it was one of the best decisions I made by choosing to join a sorority. You interact with so many different groups of people and are always in the know about the events going on around campus. I know guys who say the same thing about joining a fraternity. The major issue I hear people complain about is the weather in Lubbock. One day it can be clear and sunny, next day there could be around 30 mile per hour winds, and the day after that thereÕs snow on the ground. It is very unpredictable. There are no drains in Lubbock so when it rains, it floods. Everyone planning on coming to Tech should invest in some rain boots. Also because Lubbock is so flat there are a lot of dust storms, sometimes it gets so bad that the skies look red. The grossest thing is the smell at times. ThereÕs a slaughter house on the outskirts of campus somewhere and every month or so they have to do what they do with all the cows and the stench is literally unbearable for about two days. On a positive note, the summers are beautiful. Many students stay for summer sessions or just relax in Lubbock to stay near their friends. IÕve been here for three years and have stayed every summer for both sessions just taking a class or two and it is always a blast. I spend most of my time on campus in the SUB (Student Union Building) when IÕm not in the Mass Communications building doing classes. The SUB has the cafeteria (which has a large array of restaurants and food to choose from, a Starbucks, a Barnes and Noble, electronic shops, and other small stores. There are also lounge areas to hang out if you have some extra time in between classes and donÕt want to get off campus.

Academic Life

The core curriculum classes that everyone has to take are usually very large and done in lecture halls. It is difficult to get to know your professors because there are so many students in a single class that they donÕt have enough time to get to know each student personally. In classes that are lecture style, I usually make an effort to visit my professors during their office hours because they like to see that you are taking an incentive to ask questions and it can benefit you in the end if they can associate a face with a name. However, when you get to more upper level classes, the number of students in each class gets smaller and you have some of the same professors for several classes. You really get to know them and they are more than willing to help you if you have any questions or problems in their classes. I am a senior public relations major and have noticed that most of my classes last year and this year have all been in the same 3 buildings taught by professors IÕve had before, which makes it easier for me to know what to expect from the professor. Texas TechÕs education is geared at both getting a job and learning for its own sake. There is an array of elective classes that students can take just because they are interested in the subject. Each major has some open spots that students can choose to fill with classes theyÕre interested in rather than classes that strictly involve their major. For example, I took a psychology class that ended up being one of the most interesting courses IÕve ever taken and it had nothing to do with public relations. There is also a very helpful career center and advisors located in each college that help students get an idea of what type of career they may be interested in pursing. I took my resume to the career center and told her a few things I want in a future career. She edited my resume so that it was perfect to send off, and started sending me e-mails every week or so of lists of companies that were hiring (both full-time positions and internships) that had some of the qualities I was looking for. TechÕs academic requirements arenÕt too challenging but studying is a must, especially when you get into the upper level courses more specific to your major. The general courses that everyone has to take were not too hard and students that have already taken the class are more than happy to tell others which professors are the hardest and which are the easiest.

Student Body

I would say the student body is divided in three groups: The athletes, the Greek students and the non-Greek students. A student who is quiet and a homebody would feel out of place here. The students are outgoing, super friendly and very active. The REC Center is a pretty popular place to gather and it has every type of sport you can imagine. There is a rock climbing wall in the middle, an indoor track, about ten basketball courts, a couple weight rooms, Pilates classes, a place to rent skis, tents, kayaks and snowboards, and even a place to get a massage. Like I said earlier, Greek life is huge at Tech. IÕve known a couple friends who came to Tech and didnÕt pledge a fraternity or sorority and ended up transferring schools because they felt out of place. Most Tech students are from cities in Texas. We have a lot of people from Dallas, Houston, Fort Worth, Austin, and San Antonio. There is also a large number of people from really small towns and a bunch that are from Lubbock. Students dress pretty casual when going to class. Flip flops and t-shirts on a warm day. The North Face jackets and Ugg boots is the popular winter look. Campus is right across from Broadway Street, which is the street most of the bars are on, and a lot of people walk there after class is done to get drinks or eat on the patio when itÕs nice outside.